This is a discussion on Hi from California - New WRX within the New Member Hangout forums, part of the Community - Meet other Enthusiasts category; I just found this forum while hunting the 'net, and I thought I'd introduce myself. I just bought a new ...

Hi from California - New WRX

I just found this forum while hunting the 'net, and I thought I'd introduce myself. I just bought a new '07 WRX last month (black, of course), and I'm definitely loving it. It is my first new car, and the first car I've owned that is a manual transmission. Talk about learning curve! Thankfully, I've had some good teachers, and was blessed with good "born to drive" genetics. I simply couldn't stand the thought of buying my first real sports car and have it be an automatic. I'm still astounded at how much power these things have, and get caught up in the "go faster" mentality. Thankfully, I also have come to appreciate the humbling effect of trying to harness that power while driving behind slowpokes at 2MPH in a parking lot. 1st gear in a parking lot. . .ouch.

One of the more interesting facets of ownership that nobody bothered to mention to me before I bought the car is all the attention they draw. I get a lot of people pulling up next to me trying to race, only to stop and stare with that classic "wait, you're a *girl*. . ." look on their faces. At least I know that if things don't work out with my husband, my car will make sure I can get a date.

I've loved reading people's comments about many of the things I've been curious about, including that bumpy shift from 2nd to 3rd, and the endless possibilities of modifying a stock WRX. I'm really looking forward to using this forum as an excellent resource when I decide it is time to "upgrade".

Crappy California 91 octane. . . I was wondering about that. I've been to the pump three times now since I got the car, and it dawned on me that none of the gas stations I was going to had 92 octane. It has been a while since I needed to put premium in a car, so I just never thought about how it had disappeared.

My first tank was 76 premium, no real problems. My second tank was Chevron premium, and I got odd pinging noises. Arco premium for the third tank, and the car has gone silent again. What gives? Did I just get a bad tank of Chevron? And is there *any place* to get higher octane gas in Northern California now?

Crappy California 91 octane. . . I was wondering about that. I've been to the pump three times now since I got the car, and it dawned on me that none of the gas stations I was going to had 92 octane. It has been a while since I needed to put premium in a car, so I just never thought about how it had disappeared.

My first tank was 76 premium, no real problems. My second tank was Chevron premium, and I got odd pinging noises. Arco premium for the third tank, and the car has gone silent again. What gives? Did I just get a bad tank of Chevron? And is there *any place* to get higher octane gas in Northern California now?

Nope 92 went the way of the dodo. No place to get high octane premium. 91 is all youll see in Arizona Cali and nevada. I'd find a place where you know the premium doesnt make your car ping and stick with that station. Only resort for good stuff on track days is to mix in 100+ octane race gas.

I paint cars as a hobby so I'm guilty of adding more girlie colors and sparkles than the OBP has.

I am constantly waxing and polishing this car. It has an awesome deep shine to it, but I have waxed it probably 8-10 times in a year by hand, and use the wax as you dry after every wash.

If I had my way, and the $$$$, I'd probably strip the paint down, and redo the car with plain black paint. I'd top it with an excessive amount of clear coat to give it a glossy wet-look shine. Then I'd throw some red in to match the brakes, maybe a subtle red design on the side or the bumper. Well, that, and reupholstering the seats in red trim. . . but I am saving my pennies to do some functional modifications first.

I definitely need to wax the car, though. I can tell it has absolutely no protection against the elements the way dust sticks to the paint already. I'm just afraid to use that oxidation remover for fear of stripping the paint too much. What do you use? I also swear by Harley Wax for a nice shiny finishing wax coat. But the car has to be very, very clean first.

If I had my way, and the $$$$, I'd probably strip the paint down, and redo the car with plain black paint. I'd top it with an excessive amount of clear coat to give it a glossy wet-look shine. Then I'd throw some red in to match the brakes, maybe a subtle red design on the side or the bumper. Well, that, and reupholstering the seats in red trim. . . but I am saving my pennies to do some functional modifications first.

I definitely need to wax the car, though. I can tell it has absolutely no protection against the elements the way dust sticks to the paint already. I'm just afraid to use that oxidation remover for fear of stripping the paint too much. What do you use? I also swear by Harley Wax for a nice shiny finishing wax coat. But the car has to be very, very clean first.

A lot of people use the Meguirs clay bar kit to remove contaminents. I then use a nano polish similar to Turtlewax F21. Then follow up with a good coat of wax. I also have a buffer and every stage of compound and polish needed to really make it shine but haven't got around to it yet. My latest trip to see my bro-in-law in Vegas yielded a little sand storm driving, so now my front bumper is gone.

A lot of people use the Meguirs clay bar kit to remove contaminents. I then use a nano polish similar to Turtlewax F21. Then follow up with a good coat of wax. I also have a buffer and every stage of compound and polish needed to really make it shine but haven't got around to it yet. My latest trip to see my bro-in-law in Vegas yielded a little sand storm driving, so now my front bumper is gone.

That clay bar thing sounds really cool. Thanks for the tip! I've used Meguiar's products before, but have never seen that. I can't wait to try it!

Ahh, and the weather looks good for Saturday. Maybe I'll get the husband in on the party too. . . he's got an Outback 2.5 XT turbo wagon with OBP that also needs some TLC on the paint. Yup, we're a two Subaru household now.

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